David L. Palenzuela

The Short-EMBU in Australia, Spain, and Venezuela: Factorial invariance, and associations with sex roles, self-esteem, and Eysenckian personality dimensions

The short(s)-EMBU (Swedish acronym for Egna Minnen Betraffande Uppfostran [My memories of upbringing]) consists of 23 items, is based on the early 81-item EMBU, and was developed out of the necessity of having a brief measure of perceived parental rearing practices when the clinical and/or research context does not adequately permit application of time-consuming test batteries. The s-EMBU comprises three subscales: Rejection., Emotional Warmth, and (Over)Protection. The factorial and/or construct validity and reliability of the s-EMBU were examined in samples comprising a total of 1950 students from Australia, Spain, and Venezuela. The data were presented for the three national groups separately. Findings confirmed the cross-national validity of the factorial structure underlying the s-EMBU. Rejection by fathers and mothers was consistently associated with high trait-neuroticism and low self-esteem in recipients of both sexes in each nation, as was high parental emotional warmth with high femininity (humility). The findings on factorial validity are in keeping with previous ones obtained in East Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Italy, and Sweden. The s-EMBU is again recommended for use in several different countries as. a reliable, functional equivalent to the original 81-item EMBU.

Prediction of burden in family caregivers of patients with dementia: A perspective of optimism based on generalized expectancies of control

The aim of this study was to investigate the predictors of burden for informal caregivers of patients with dementia. Based on a multidimensional approach of the optimism model proposed by Palenzuela, we assessed the moderating role of generalized expectancies of control (GEC) between caregiver stress and burden. A total of 130 patients with dementia and their main family caregivers were assessed from different rural areas of the province of Salamanca (Spain). Patients with dementia underwent a protocol to assess dementia stage, cognitive–functional impairment and behavioural symptoms. Meanwhile, the 20-item Battery of Generalized Expectancies of Control Scales of Palenzuela was completed by the family caregivers. Clinical variables of patients with dementia (progression and behavioural disorders) and GEC (success, self-efficacy, contingency, helplessness and luck) were considered as potential predictors of burden in the hierarchical regression analysis. The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) Scale was used as an outcome measure. The results indicated that the clinical variables could not predict burden in caregivers significantly; however, beliefs in personal abilities (self-efficacy) and internal locus of control (contingency) explained up to 32% of the variance in the ZBI scores. Family caregivers with high expectancies of self-efficacy and contingency are less vulnerable to stress. This research supports a base for interventions with informal caregivers and further study.

Critical Evaluation of Locus of Control: Towards a Reconceptualization of the Construct and its Measurement

The construct of locus of control at present poses certain problems. It is defined in different ways by various investigators, and at times its definition is analogous to other concepts. The expectancy of locus of control is confused with the attributions of past success-failure experiences and recent approaches have proposed conflicting solutions. There is also terminological-conceptual confusion. Locus of control scales are used for the measurement of other constructs. The dimensionality of locus of control is still lacking in coherence, is confusing, and some scales also seem to measure several different concepts. The present article discusses such problems in two sections: (a) conceptual problems and (b) problems with the measurement of the locus of control. A third section describes some possible solutions; empirical evidence is presented on the first steps of an alternative approach.

Refining the theory and measurement of expectancy of internal vs external control of reinforcement

Abstract This paper offers a revised version of a Multidimensional Academic-Specific Locus of Control Scale (MASLOC) (Palenzuela, 1982, 1984). Special emphasis is placed on the locus of control theory in such a way that Rotters definition is re-examined, a reconceptualization of the locus of control construct is presented and the differences and interrelationships with other psychological constructs are made explicit. The revised MASLOC scale is based on the revised locus of control theory and is composed of 15 items covering 3 dimensions: Internality (Contingency), Helplessness (Noncontingency) and Luck (Chance). The psychometric properties of the revised scale are completely satisfactory and there is considerable correspondence between the empirical data and the theory. Finally, it is suggested that future theorizing and research into the locus of control should be integrated within a general and unified system of psychological constructs related to control.

Sphere-specific measures of perceived control: Perceived contingency, perceived competence, or what? A critical evaluation of Paulhus and Christie's approach

Abstract This paper attempts to offer a critical evaluation of Paulhus and Christies approach to measurement of the locus of control construct. This approach makes a rather ambiguous use of the term perceived control. From the conceptual model it is unclear whether the term refers to perceived contingency only, to perceived competence, or to other constructs. Detailed examination of the items of the personal efficacy and interpersonal control subscales suggests that they have more to do with perceived competence than with perceived contingency, especially the latter. Empirical evidence offers strong support for the theoretical speculations presented. It is concluded that a need exists to pay closer attention to the possible conceptual and measuring problems which this important area of psychology seems to involve.

The Adaptation of Three Subjects from the First Year of Psychology Studies of the University of Salamanca (Spain) for Teaching Within the Framework of the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)

We report a pilot program set up at the School of Psychology of the University of Salamanca (Spain) as a step to precede adapting three subjects to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). After reviewing the relevant literature, we contacted via e-mail 30 schools of psychology in 13 countries with which we exchange students through the Erasmus-Socrates Program in order to learn of their experiences. With the same goal in mind, we held meetings with representatives from two Spanish universities responsible for the issue of European convergence. We also interviewed a senior agent from the Ministry of Education to learn about the initiatives being made and the main lines of action foreseen for the future. Owing to its practical nature, the experience of the University of Barcelona was used as a model. Using a questionnaire, among other variables we assessed the workload estimated by students in each subject. The questionnaire was completed by 246 students. The results show that the questionnaire is of use for educators to check their level of demand (to what extent the hours spent by students on each subject match the time they actually should be spending on such work) and to determine which parts of the syllabus require more preparation time, or are more complex, or are the most useful. The feedback is also good for the students. This evaluation is a step that would precede introducing changes in the syllabus and activating other teaching resources designed to ensure passage of the application of the ECTS in Spain.

A Control-Based Multidimensional Approach to the Role of Optimism in the Use of Dementia Day Care Services.

We examined whether grounded optimism and external locus of control are associated with admission to dementia day care centers (DCCs). A total of 130 informal caregivers were recruited from the Alzheimer’s Association in Salamanca (northwest Spain). All caregivers completed an assessment protocol that included the Battery of Generalized Expectancies of Control Scales (BEEGC-20, acronym in Spanish) as well as depression and burden measures. The decision of the care setting at baseline assessment (own home vs DCC) was considered the main outcome measure in the logistic regression analyses. Grounded optimism was a preventive factor for admission (odds ratio [OR]: 0.34 and confidence interval [CI]: 0.15-0.75), whereas external locus of control (OR: 2.75, CI: 1.25-6.03) increased the probabilities of using DCCs. Depression mediated the relationship between optimism and DCCs, but this effect was not consistent for burden. Grounded optimism promotes the extension of care at home for patients with dementia.